Arrogance or pride? Argentina grapple with World Cup villain label
Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson was among those who criticised Argentina at World Cup, with racism among allegations.
![King Felipe VI of Spain, congratulates Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) as Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney looks on after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. [AP Photo/Julio Cortez]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-1784581185.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
- EDITOR'S ANALYSIS
Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026
![Spain's Rodrigo Hernandez lifts the World Cup trophy alongside Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, left, and Royal Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzan as they arrive at Madrid airport on Monday, July 20, 2026, after Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final. [AP Photo/Manu Fernandez]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-1784567783.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Key takeaways from the World Cup 2026 final as Spain beat Argentina
Midfield dominance, stifling Lionel Messi and gifted wingers – Spain outclassed Argentina to lift the World Cup.
Spain's Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate the win over Argentina in the final. [Mike Segar/Reuters]
Spain's Ferran Torres scores the winning goal past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. [Ashley Landis/AP Photo]
Torres celebrates scoring during the World Cup final match. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
Lamine Yamal reacts after Spain won the World Cup final. [Pamela Smith/AP Photo]
Lionel Messi cries at the end of the World Cup final. [Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo]
Argentina fans on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, look dejected after the team lost the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. [Tita Barros/Reuters]
An Argentina fan looks dejected after the match, in Kolkata, India. [Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters]
Fans clash with riot police after Messi's team lost the final, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [Luis Robayo/AFP]
Spain players cheer alongside US President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. [Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo]
Yamal gives the World Cup trophy to Spain's King Felipe VI. [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]
Spain's Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Gavi celebrate after winning the World Cup. [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]
Spanish fans celebrate in central Madrid. [Bernat Armangue/AP Photo]
Fans celebrate in Barcelona, Spain. [Nacho Doce/Reuters]
A Spain fan celebrates in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. [Clarens Siffroy/AFP]
Spain fans celebrate in Mexico City, Mexico. [Tomas Perez/EPA]
Spain fans celebrate in Times Square, New York, US. [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]
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Last night, I was Spanish, and so were millions around the world
For many of us, Gaza was on our mind when we watched and celebrated Spain’s triumph at the World Cup.
From: NewsFeed
Fans in Madrid party all night long after Spain’s World Cup victory
Spanish fans spent the night partying in Madrid after their team defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final of the World Cup.
Published On 20 Jul 2026
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